There is absolutely no debating over the fact that Max Verstappen ran riot over the entire Formula 1 grid in 2023. The Dutchman showed no mercy on his colleagues, as he went on to create a record-breaking world championship victory with the defending champions, Red Bull Racing.
And luckily enough, the entire motorsport community managed to look at the bright side of Verstappen’s dominance; a contrast to what happened with Lewis Hamilton in the 2010s. However, controversy-ridden team principal and now-business tycoon Flavio Briatore has warned Verstappen and Co. of a potential turnaround in 2024.
The Italian superstar, often hailed as the greatest talent hunter of F1, hinted that the viewers’ patience will run out as early as 2024 and that Verstappen could soon find himself in the shoes of his arch-nemesis Hamilton. Furthermore, he also acknowledged Verstappen ruined the 2023 season by ruthlessly beating his rivals to a rather predictable third world championship title.
Now, the big question is, how different will 2024 turn out in reality? Well, Briatore believed that no one could stop Red Bull from their reigning supremacy.
Flavio Briatore’s views on the boring Max Verstappen title charge in 2023
The man who kindled the F1 journey of Fernando Alonso openly admitted that 2023 was anything but fun for the spectators. Hence, the 73-year-old is now helplessly praying for Verstappen’s downfall. “The Red Bull team is extremely strong and Max Verstappen is doing nothing wrong. He is an extraordinary driver,” he said according to Express.
“Max Verstappen is really one with his car, especially when we consider that Sergio Perez has the same car. You really see the difference with Verstappen, who does extraordinary things. Unfortunately, Max Verstappen ruined the world championship a bit. I hope there will be more excitement next year, otherwise, it won’t be fun anymore. But Red Bull has an advantage that I think is difficult to undo at the moment.”
However, this is hardly going to jolt someone as carefree as Verstappen. The three-time world champion is inarguably one of the strongest drivers on the grid, and has more often than not acknowledged his desire to remain dominant rather than falling down the pecking order for ‘challenges’. Hence, are we heading for another one-sided battle for the world championship title in 2024?
Or, can the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, or Fernando Alonso pull off something extraordinary to stop the high-flying Dutch superstar? Let’s see how the future unfolds.